Abstract
Shaping and pollarding of dimorphic ash tree (Fraxinus dimorpha) are two traditional practices used by the local inhabitants in agropastoral parklands of the Moroccan High Atlas to secure their production systems and increase tree production and strength. This study focused on assessing the impact of these practices on soil quality. Abiotic parameters and mycorrhizal attributes of the samples of four soil types related to different ash tree morphotypes were assessed and compared. Rhizospheric soils (Rs) of three F. dimorpha morphotypes were sampled: trees regularly pollarded and shaped for stem anastomosis (An), regularly pollarded multistemmed trees (Na), and multistemmed trees belonging to a public forest under national forestry service management and sporadically illegally pollarded (Fo). The fourth soil was a non-Rs found in bare soils, which represented the control (Nr). Results showed a sizable difference between An soil properties and the other soil types ones, with significantly higher phosphorus (×6), nitrogen (×5), and carbon (×2) levels and higher mycorrhizal (×6) status than Nr soil, and showed 37% more mycorrhization intensity than Fo. Na showed intermediary levels between An and Fo. Fo had ×2 P, ×3 Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), 58% more Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content, and twice the spore density compared with Nr. It is concluded that shaping and pollarding have a positive impact on the soil characteristics of the studied species and could make a useful contribution to sound agroforest management schemes.
Highlights
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is defined as “a cumulative body of knowledge, practices and beliefs, handed down through generations by cultural transmission and evolving by adaptive processes, about the relationship between living beings with one another and with their forest environment” [1]
The differences between the studied soil types are very considerable, considering that they are under the same climatic, topographic, and edaphic conditions. Since their only differences rely on whether or not they are located under specific tree morphotypes or not submitted to tree management (Fo and Nr), we consider that these differences are to be related to human intervention in tree shaping
Traditional tree shaping by pollarding and favoring trunk anastomosis have a clear and distinct positive impact on the dimorphic ash tree’s rhizospheric soil variables found in agroforestral systems in the Central Moroccan High Atlas, on phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon content, and on mycorrhizal activity, compared with uncultivated or poorly managed soils. This illustrates that, in some cases, human practices can indirectly improve the delivery of ecosystem services from spontaneous forested stands
Summary
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is defined as “a cumulative body of knowledge, practices and beliefs, handed down through generations by cultural transmission and evolving by adaptive processes, about the relationship between living beings with one another and with their forest environment” [1]. It refers to the knowledge developed by native or local people over generations through direct interactions with their environment. TEK has become an alternative approach to approach toitbetter understand and adapt climate and biodiversity change [3,4]. Examples of how better understand and adapt to climate and biodiversity change [3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
